NY-ers in Minnesota -- PLEASE HELP! (Rochester, Woodbury: crime, houses, high school)

[JenLee]

I actually find the original post a bit humorous. There are a gadzillion posts bad-mouthing unfriendly Minnesotans, and this poor New Yorker is complaining we are too nice!

I've had several friends over the years from NYC; they seem to get creeped out when people smile or talk to them in public. If you are stuck here because of love or money (a job), you will eventually get used to it. Just smile and nod back. Or at least start with the nod.

And how DO you fix the celery root? I'm genuinely interested; I've seen it before but never bought it since I don't know what to do with it!

[blueeyes30]

New Yorkers just like to complain. When I lived in Florida, they would compare everything to New York. Just read some of the posts done by ex-Ny'ers in the Florida fourm: whine whine whine! lol

[Alt Dach]

I lived in St. Paul and NYC and it was MUCH easier to make friends in the latter than the former.Midwesterns are polite but usually semi-comotose.

[whatever]

I lived in SoFla for a while too and I agree. I learned that the folks that stay in New York are typically a lot nicer than the ones that migrated south.
That said, the OP has some points (valid to them) that tell me it'll be a long time before they fit in, and it may be never. I 'm probably not a good fit either, but just have to suck it up for the time that I have here. Maybe in 5 years or so I'll find a way to feel comfortable here. Who knows. BTW, how many of you people posting are ex-pat New Yorkers?

[Bongopercylou]

"4. I’m not “disparaging” Minnesotans. They seem to be very comfortable with one another. It’s actually fun and comical to see them interact. It’s like watching Japanese Kabuki. It would take a whole bottle of chloroform to make me “blend in”."

This killed me! Haha! I do agree with SOME of what the poster is saying - but it sounds like Minnesota's just not the right place for them!

[nick is rulz]

Its an apples to lawnmowers comparison anyway. NY is like 20 million people in the entire metro area if you include Long Island (which isnt NY anyway but thats another story ).

The passive agressiveness of the state can be overwhelming. Odds are you're just not hanging out with the right people. Most out of towners assume I havent lived here my whole life because I'm pretty blunt. Most of my friends are blunt as well, and we generally just encounter the passive side at work and what not. The guy who lives downstairs from me grew up in Queens as well. He is pretty straight laced, and seems to get along fine.

But yeah, if Minneapolis isnt your thing you should probably move. There will always be that slightly fake side, although you experience less of it the closer to the actual city you live.

[santos]

Minnesota native here. I agree with the OP, especially the passive-aggressive part.

OP, if you decide to go back to Queens OK if I hitch a ride wit'ya?

[Ishten]

Instead of fighting the culture, try and embrace it - even if only in jest initially. Out Minnesota the natives. Out nice, out small talk, use the same accent, dress conservatively, act modest, dress conservatively and, above all, be polite.

Try on the cloak of a midwesterner, you can always return it.

[Sherella]

I grew up in a small town in Minnesota, you haven't lived until you've felt the full wrath of a a place that knows everything about you and your business, there's no Minnesota nice there, at least under the surface. Moved to Calif. where they say all the fruits and nuts live but no one knows anyone and everyone smiles, and talks anyway.

I'd have to say most places have good points and bad, you just have to focus on what makes you feel good, and leave the rest behind.

[fitra]

Ditto! These folks here are a trip. I've been here five years...it doesn't change. I'm up outta here within the next year. I went on vacation a month ago and it was so refreshing to have people smile and speak and strike up a conversation instead of having that stoic, fake, "I'll talk to you if you go to happy hour EVERY chance we get" look on their faces. When I leave, I'll miss the Twin Cities, but not the people.